Luxury Backyard Wedding Inspo | Fort Collins, Colorado
This luxury backyard wedding day was anything but predictable, with three distinct ‘mini’ storms sweeping through before and after the ceremony. Yet, Sloan and Trevor remained incredibly calm, cool, and collected throughout it all. Despite the wind and rain threatening to upend their champagne tower and send linens flying off the tables, their focus never wavered from one another and their loved ones.
Not Your Average Backyard Wedding
These two lovebirds found me on Instagram and were drawn to my combination of documentary and traditional wedding photography, along with my true-to-color edits. When you hear “outdoor” or “backyard” wedding, it may easily draw images in your mind of a slapped-together DIY event, but that was far from the case here. Sloan and Trevor married at their family lake house, a beautiful private estate where Sloan and her two older sisters also tied the knot in years past. This location added sentimental value to their special day, making it even more memorable.
They incorporated their faith by having communion during the ceremony, including touching speeches from family, and ended the evening with a lovely sparkler exit. To top it all off, they drove across the lake in their ski boat. It was such a fun and memorable outdoor wedding day!
“WHITNEY!! WOW, this was the best surprise today. These are absolutely incredible. Y’all killed it and it is so fun reliving the day through these beautiful photos. You are so gifted and we loved spending our day with yall! You did an outstanding job and we cannot wait to see the rest. Thank you so so much for sharing!!”
Vendors
Venue | Private Estate
Planning + Design | Nicole Silver Events
Photography | Whitney Rae Photography
Videography | Aflātis Films
Floral Design | The Flower Lover Club
Rentals | Colorado Party Rentals
Tent | Benson Tent Rent
Hair | HJ Studio
Makeup | Kelsey Mac Makeup
Entertainment | TH Entertainment
Every wedding is unique and deserves more than a cookie-cutter approach. By stepping back to let intimate moments unfold naturally while offering support and guidance to ensure no important memory is missed, I strive to create timeless images that blend an editorial style with a documentary approach. From the distinctive details of your celebration to the cherished traditions, I'll deliver a collection of photographs that allow you to relive these memories for years to come. After all, the moments that matter most aren’t always staged or polished—they’re raw, authentic, and uniquely you.
Don’t you agree?
MY PHILOSOPHY
An Honest Wedding Experience
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”
Words I Live by
I'm WHITNEY.
Your wedding day is a story—one filled with fleeting moments of beauty, deep emotion, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. As an artist, I am here to preserve those moments with intention, artistry, and care. I don’t just capture what your wedding looked like—I document how it felt.
Born and raised in the breathtaking landscapes of Vail, Colorado, I am deeply inspired by the way love and nature intertwine. There’s something poetic about the way light moves across mountain peaks, the way wind dances through a bride’s veil, and how the beauty of the outdoors mirrors the intimacy of a wedding day. My work is shaped by this connection—an effortless blend of refined editorial imagery and documentary storytelling, allowing each wedding to unfold naturally while being captured with timeless elegance.
Beyond photography, I am an adventurer at heart. Whether I’m exploring new landscapes, hiking through the Rockies, or traveling to breathtaking destinations, my love for movement and exploration brings an effortless, natural feel to my imagery. Every love story is unique, and I am deeply invested in capturing the emotions, scenery, and in-between moments that make your wedding day truly unforgettable. From the moment we connect, my goal is to provide an effortless, elevated experience that allows you to be fully present while I handle the art of storytelling. With a calm, intuitive approach, I blend artistic direction with documentary storytelling—guiding you when needed while allowing your most authentic moments to unfold naturally. My couples value timeless, emotive imagery, a refined yet relaxed presence, and the confidence of knowing their memories are being preserved with intention. When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me skiing down the slopes, hiking with my husband and our two border collies, or enjoying a slow morning with a perfectly crafted latte. I live for meaningful conversations, spontaneous adventures, and capturing beauty in the quiet, in-between moments of life—just as I do with my couples. I take on a limited number of weddings each year to provide an intimate, high-touch experience, ensuring each love story is captured with the highest level of artistry and care. If you feel drawn to timeless, emotional, and editorial-inspired imagery, I would love to hear your vision and create something extraordinary together.
Let's Connect
"she made the day feel so easy and seamless"
